Canine serum protein patterns using high-resolution electrophoresis (HRE)

Serum protein values were determined in 26 healthy dogs using agarose gel electrophoresis (SPE), splitting the electrophoretic separation into six regions: albumin, alpha(1), alpha(2), beta(1), beta(2)and gamma globulins. High-resolution electrophoresis (HRE) was used to separate single proteins. Serum proteins from dogs (26 healthy and 20 affected by various diseases) were then characterized by electrophoretic immunofixation (IFE) and Sudan black staining on HRE film. Haemoglobin and normal canine plasma and serum were used to identify haptoglobin and fibrinogen, respectively.In the standard pattern, determined by HRE, the following proteins were identified: albumin, alpha(1)-lipoprotein (alpha(1)-region), haptoglobin and alpha(2)-macroglobulin (alpha(2)-region), beta -lipoprotein and C3 (beta(1)-region), transferrin and IgM (beta(2)-region), IgG (mostly in gamma -region and partly in beta(2)-region). The HRE pattern shown by healthy dogs could be compared with those of dogs affected by various diseases to obtain clinical information.     

The effect of adipocyte and heart fatty acid-binding protein genes on intramuscular fat and backfat content in Meishan crossbred pigs

Effects of genetic variation in porcine adipocyte and heart fatty acid-binding protein genes, A-FABP and H-FABP, respectively, on intramuscular fat (IMF) content and backfat thickness (BFT) were examined in F2 crossbreds of Meishan and Western pigs. The involvement of each FABP gene in IMF accretion was studied to confirm previous results for Duroc pigs. The F2 crossbred pigs were genotyped for various markers including microsatellite sequences situated within both FABP genes. Linkage analysis assigned the A-FABP and H-FABP genes to marker intervals S0001-S0217 (20 cM) on SSC4 and Sw316-S0003 (16.6 cM) on SSC6, respectively, refining previous chromosomal assignments. Next, the role of both chromosome regions/genes on genetic variation in IMF content and BFT was studied by 1) screening SSC4 and SSC6 for QTL affecting both traits by performing a line-cross analysis and 2) estimation of the effect of individual A-FABP and H-FABP alleles on both traits. In the first analysis, suggestive and chromosome-wise significant evidence for a QTL affecting IMF was detected on SSC6. The H-FABP gene is a candidate gene for this effect because it resides within the large region containing this putative QTL. The second analysis showed a considerable but nonsignificant effect of H-FABP microsatellite alleles on IMF content. Suggestive evidence for a QTL affecting BFT was found on SSC6, but H-FABP was excluded as a candidate gene. In conclusion, present and previous results support involvement of H-FABP gene polymorphisms in IMF accretion independently from BFT in pigs. Therefore, implementation of these polymorphisms in marker-assisted selection to control IMF content independently from BFT may be considered. In contrast to previous findings for Duroc pigs, no evidence was found for an effect of the A-FABP gene on IMF or BFT in this population.     

Infection of bovine immunodeficiency virus and bovine leukemia virus in water buffalo and cattle populations in Pakistan

A survey of antibodies to bovine immunodeficiency virus (BIV) known as bovine lentivirus and bovine leukemia virus (BLV) was conducted with samples from water buffalo and cattle populations in Pakistan. A total of 370 water buffaloes and 76 cattle were tested, and 10.3% and 15.8%, respectively, were found positive for anti-BIV p26 antibodies determined by Western blotting, while 0.8% of water buffaloes and no cattle were positive for anti-BLV antibodies determined by immunodiffusion test. BIV-seropositive water buffaloes and cattle were found to have BIV proviral DNA in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells determined by nested polymerase chain reaction. This is the first report of BIV infections in water buffaloes.     

Isolation and measurement of carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes in erythrocytes of dogs

OBJECTIVE: To purify canine carbonic anhydrase (CA) isoenzymes CA-I and CA-II and to determine concentrations of CA-I and CA-II in erythrocytes of Beagles and dogs native to Japan. SAMPLE POPULATION: Blood samples from 116 Beagles, including 24 pregnant Beagles, and blood samples from 29 dogs native to Japan. PROCEDURE: Canine CA-I and CA-II were purified by use of column chromatography. Concentrations of CA-I and CA-II in erythrocytes of dogs were determined, using an ELISA. RESULTS: Mean (+/- SD) concentrations of CA-I and CA-II in erythrocytes of Beagles were 3.21+/-0.86 and 1.63+/-0.39 mg/g of Hb, respectively. Mean concentration of CA-I was greater in male Beagles than female Beagles. In contrast, mean concentration of CA-II was greater in female Beagles than male Beagles. Furthermore, concentration of CA-II was greater in pregnant female Beagles than male or nonpregnant female Beagles. Mean concentrations of CA-I and CA-II in erythrocytes of dogs native to Japan were 11.03+/-4.39 and 3.29+/-0.91 mg/g of Hb, respectively. Mean concentration of CA-I was greater in male dogs from Japan than female dogs from Japan. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: The ELISA used in this study proved to be precise and sensitive for determining CA-I and CA-II concentrations in dogs. The ELISA may enable study of changes in isoenzymes associated with hereditary or metabolic disorders of blood or other body fluids, using only a small sample. Measurement of the concentrations of CA isoenzymes in dogs may be of diagnostic value.     

Aplasia of the gallbladder in a dog

A young, female Maltese dog was presented with intermittent vomiting of bile. Biochemical evidence of persistent mild hepatopathy had been present for 11 months. Exploratory celiotomy was performed. Absence of the gallbladder with malformation of the quadrate lobe of the liver was identified. There was histological evidence of bile duct proliferation and portal fibrosis.     

Persistence of cellulitis-associated Escherichia coli DNA fingerprints in successive broiler chicken flocks

Avian cellulitis in broiler chickens is primarily caused by Escherichia coli. Previous research found that the E. coli isolates of cellulitis origin were unique to each ranch, suggesting that these E. coli were endemic within the ranch environment. To test the hypothesis that the E. coli associated with cellulitis are endemic in the litter of the broiler house, we designed a study to determine whether E. coli DNA fingerprints associated with cellulitis persist over successive flocks that are grown in the same house. In addition, we assessed the impact of different cleaning and disinfection strategies on this persistence. Two broiler houses were followed on each of five farms over 3-4 flocks. A total of 353 E. coli isolates from cellulitis lesions were analyzed in this study, and 314 of these isolates (89%) were DNA fingerprinted by PFGE. In each ranch, there were several DNA fingerprint patterns that were present over successive flocks, regardless of the cleaning and disinfection strategy utilized. Isolates persisted as long as 191 days, implying that these E. coli are capable of persisting in the broiler house environment for long periods of time. In addition, these E. coli isolates were associated with cellulitis lesions in successive flocks. Thus, the isolates of E. coli that are associated with cellulitis in broiler chickens appear to be endemic in the litter environment of the broiler house.     

A pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland in a dog

A 13-year-old female mongrel dog had a pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland in the right upper orbit. The tumor measured 3.8 x 3.0 x 3.3 cm, appeared white, round, and firm, and pressed the right globe and surrounding tissues. Histopathologically, the tumor had a thin connective tissue capsule and was composed of tubules with two cell types, some resembling luminal epithelial cells making up the tubular structures and the other of myoepithelial cells. Epithelial tubules were disposed in an adenomatous fashion and separated from each other by proliferating pleomorphic myoepithelial cells. Immunohistochemically, large numbers of the luminal epithelial cells revealed an immunopositive reaction against keratin/cytokeratin (AE1/AE3), and some epithelial cells reacted against cytokeratin 14. Spindle-shaped myoepithelial cells revealed an immunopositive reaction against cytokeratin 14, alpha-smooth muscle actin, and vimentin. A small number of myoepithelial cells reacted against desmin. S-100 protein immunopositivity was frequently found in luminal epithelial cells and rarely in the pleomorphic myoepithelial cells. Glial fibrillary acidic protein positivity was commonly found in myoepithelial cells, myxoid matrices, and intracystic materials, but not in luminal epithelial cells.     

Effects of in vivo administration of anti-IL-10 or anti-IFN-gamma monoclonal antibody on the host defense mechanism against Plasmodium yoelii yoelii infection

Our previous reports indicated that C57BL/6 mice infected with a lethal variant of Plasmodium yoelii 17X (P. yoelii 17XL) produced high levels of interleukin 10 (IL-10) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) while mice infected with the nonlethal variant of the parasite did not produce detectable levels of IL-10. In the present study, the involvement of IL-10 and IFN-gamma in exacerbation or regulation of blood-stage malaria was investigated by using the lethal variant of P. yoelii 17XL and monoclonal antibodies (mAb) against the cytokines. C57BL/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with a neutralizing anti-IL-10 mAb or anti-IFN-gamma mAb after inoculation with P. yoelii 17XL. Treatment of mice with anti-IL-10 mAb resulted in substantial prolongation of survival and 60% of treated mice survived while 100% of control mice died by day 11. On the contrary, treatment of mice with anti-IFN-gamma mAb exacerbated infection and all mice died after an earlier period than those treated with normal rat Ig. No differences in parasitemias were found between treated and untreated mice. To elucidate the involvement of nitric oxide in the host protection or exacerbation, mice were treated with aminoguanidine, an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthetase, after inoculation of P. yoelii 17XL. Neither mortality nor parasitemia was influenced by the treatment. These results indicate that an IFN-gamma response is associated with protective immunity in mice infected with P. yoelii 17XL, while an IL-10 response is associated with disease exacerbation during the infection.     

Cardiovascular changes in dogs given diazepam and diazepam-ketamine

The cardiopulmonary consequences of diazepam (0.5 mg/kg, IV) followed by ketamine (10 mg/kg, IV) were evaluated in 11 dogs. Diazepam did not exhibit a tranquilizing effect and was frequently associated with excessive excitement. It produced minimal cardiopulmonary effects, except for a significant increase in heart rate. Ketamine administration was associated with less cardiovascular stimulation when administered after diazepam than it did when administered alone; the respiratory depression was greater. Compared with ketamine alone, the diazepam-ketamine combination was associated with more vomition, less muscle hypertonus, less seizure activity, and less salivation.     

Effects of cage contamination with coccidia and salmonella on acute salmonellosis in young chickens

The effects of concurrent cage contamination with Salmonella typhimurium and Eimeria tenella on the establishment of salmonella infection in day-old chickens were investigated. Chickens were divided into five groups: uninfected recipient birds placed in a cage contaminated by donor birds infected with E. tenella and S. typhimurium; E. tenella-infected recipients placed in a cage contaminated by S. typhimurium-infected donors; uninfected recipients placed in a cage contaminated by S. typhimurium-infected donors; E. tenella-infected recipients placed in a cage contaminated by uninfected donors; and uninfected recipients placed in a cage contaminated by uninfected donors. Three identical trials were conducted. Recipient birds were necropsied 4, 7, and 11 days after caging. In the cage where donor birds infected with both organisms had been reared, S. typhimurium counts in feces and number of feces positive for S. typhimurium were significantly (P less than 0.05) greater than those in the other cages on days 0, 4, and 7 after caging. Moreover, in this cage, more chicks died, counts of S. typhimurium in cecal contents were greater, and more birds were positive for S. typhimurium than in the other groups. This suggests that S. typhimurium infection in day-old chickens is enhanced in cages contaminated with E. tenella and S. typhimurium compared with infection in cages contaminated with S. typhimurium alone.